Frances Millar

PEOPLE often say the true meaning of Christmas has been lost amid the tackiness of materialism. Charity, giving, gratitude and the baby Jesus, that's what it's supposed to be about.

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But, come on, materialism has been there since the beginning. Gold? It wasn't cheap then and it ain't cheap now. Myrrh and frankincense? Back in Herod's day, you'd need a sackful of shekels.

Expensive shiny things and posh smellies have always been part of the deal. It's just they now come from Swarovski and Jo Malone. So perhaps it is the trashy vulgarity that really offends.

But according to Rev Nicholas Papadopulos, the Dean of Salisbury, God couldn't care less about that and nor should you.